By volunteer | Posted: December 18, 2018

In the ancient science of ayurveda, herbs are viewed as the spiritual essence of plants.

Each and every herb in ayurvedic herbology has a multitude of benefits - for the mind, body, and spirit. Herbs can be used internally or externally (through the skin) - or even as aromatherapy. From weight loss to beautiful skin to overall vitality, herbs can transform your health in many ways.

Here are the ten herbs that you can’t miss for incorporating into your routine for a healthy lifestyle. These herbs can be used in conjunction with other ayurvedic approaches, which may also include modifying one's diet, lifestyle choices and activity levels.

Take a look at these effective herbs:

1. Ajwain - digestive

Ajwain is a strong digestive and nerve stimulant. It functions as a weight loss herb by drawing out deep-seated toxins from the body. It also heals painful joints - it’s an excellent herb to address vata issues. You can take it as a tea to assist with weight loss: simply boil 1 tsp of ajwain seeds in 16 ounces of water.

2. Ashwagandha - vitalizer

One of the best anti-aging herbs, ashwagandha enhances vitality. This herb is crucial when suffering from too much stress, or when overworked.

Tip: Take 1/2 teaspoon cooked in milk (sweeten with 1 teaspoon of raw honey). Please note that ayurvedic herbs are able to go deeper into the tissues and cells when taken with a healthy fat (such as ghee, butter, or raw whole milk).

3. Brahmi - brain tonic

Brahmi is the #1 tonic for the brain and nervous system. Brahmi also balances the left and right hemispheres of the brain, and decalcifies the pineal gland. It is tridoshic, but is especially beneficial for balancing high pitta conditions. Brahmi removes toxins and blockages from the nervous system. It helps with depression, enhances intelligence and improves memory and concentration. It also happens to be great for hair growth! When used as medicated oil for hair, the nutrients seep into the brain cells via the crown chakra.

Tip: Take brahmi every morning to rejuvenate the body and mind. Consume it in the form of tea or brahmi ghee.

4. Cardamom - tranquilizer

Cardamom is a natural tranquilizer, bringing clarity and joy to the heart and mind. It neutralizes the acidity of coffee and caffeine. Cardamom removes excess kapha from the stomach and lungs. It neutralizes the mucus-forming properties in milk.

Tip: Boil milk with cardamom and drink it before going to bed.

5. Cumin - assimilator

Cumin enhances the digestive system and metabolism. It helps the body with nutrient absorption. Cumin can be especially useful for new moms, as it cleanses the reproductive organs and improves milk secretion.

Tip: Use cumin while cooking to assist in the assimilation of micronutrients.

6. Licorice - rejuvenator

Licorice is a rejuvenating herb that is commonly used in both the East and the West. It rejuvenates all systems of the body, soothes the throat and reduces acidity. It calms the mind and nurtures the spirit.

Tip: Add licorice root to hot tea as a sweetener, in the place of honey or sugar. Or, boil powdered licorice root in a milk concoction.

7. Manjistha - purifier

Manjistha is probably the best blood purifying herb in ayurvedic medicine. It’s anti-inflammatory and clears acne. Manjistha cleans the blood and liver, lowering pitta disorders in the skin, and clearing acne. It cools and detoxifies the blood, and cleanses and regulates liver and kidney functions. Manjistha can also be used as an external application for face packs or in case of skin diseases.

Tip: Take this herb in capsule form (2 capsules in the morning, and 2 capsules at night) if you are suffering from any pitta skin disorders. Or, take it with warm milk before bed.

8. Neem - detox

Neem is one of the most powerful blood purifiers and detoxifiers in ayurvedic herbology. Best for skin diseases, wound healing, and skin damage (especially from sun), neem is useful for all pitta disorders (such as skin and eyes). It works wonders for eczema and psoriasis flare-ups. It is also useful for joint and muscle pain. Use neem on the skin in medicated oil.

Tip: Have 3-4 neem leaves every morning.

9. Shatavari - female vitality

Shatavari is the #1 ayurvedic rejuvenative for women (as ashwagandha is for men). Shatavari even translates to ‘she who possesses a thousand husbands!’ In other words, it also refers to hundreds of tubers collectively seen in its roots. It nourishes and cleanses blood and female reproductive organs.

Tip: Consume shatavari tablets or take it with ghee or cooked in milk.

10. Turmeric - the spice of life

Turmeric purifies the blood and the channels of the body. It improves the skin's complexion, bringing circulation and nutrition to the skin. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and is a perfect remedy to treat acne-prone skin. Turmeric balances all the doshas, but it balances pitta the most because of its blood-cleansing and liver-cleansing properties. If you consume turmeric on a regular basis, you will notice your health improve in many ways.

Tip: Ideally use 1 teaspoon per day in some form: whether in capsule form, on the skin, or in the diet. Throw some in as you are sautéeing veggies in coconut oil to eat over quinoa. Boil some turmeric in goat milk with honey before bed.